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So you’ve bought the boat, you have the fishing gear, but what boating equipment do you need to make sure you have a safe and fun trip? Boating equipment is more than just a road and reel. You need several items to make sure you are safe.

Boating equipment begins with several safety items. A personal flotation device, or life jacket, is a must for boaters in most states. Children 12 years old or younger must be wearing a life jacket if the boat is on the water. There must be a life jacket on the boat for each person. The life jacket must fit the person. The life jacket cannot be stored  and should be handy in case of an emergency. The personal flotation devices must meet U.S. Coast Guard standards and have an approval stamp and number. The life jacket must be in good condition.

Another piece of boating equipment that is similar to a life jacket is a buoyant cushion, sometimes referred to as a “throw cushion.” This device can be thrown into the water where a person can hang onto it and stay afloat until help arrives. A ring buoy may also be on board in case of an emergency.

An air horn or other sound signaling device is another vital piece of boating equipment and is required in many states. A bell is also another piece of boating equipment that some use to signal to other boats either as a friendly gesture. Sometimes the bell is a warning to other boats that they are too close or heading for danger.

Fire extinguishers are a mandatory piece of boating equipment on all motor boats. In most states fire extinguishers are required if a boat is 26 feet or longer or is transporting passengers for a fee. The number of fire extinguishers you are required to have on board is determined by the size of your boat.

Some boating equipment is not mandatory but is helpful. If you are traveling on unfamiliar waters, navigation tools are a vital piece of boating equipment. Global positioning system or GPS devices are also becoming popular for boaters.

If you are fishing at night, the U.S. Coast Guard requires lights. This piece of boating equipment must be mounted on the bow and stern. If you are caught boating at night without this vital piece of boating equipment, you could face criminal penalties.

You may not think of a first aid kit as boating equipment, but what of  someone gets sick or injured on the boat? The kit should contain bandages and rubbing alcohol. It is a good idea to put some medication for motion sickness inside the kit as well.

Boating equipment is not limited to safety and mandatory requirements. Serious fishers will carry depth finders to determine where their best catch is. Some depth finders are equipped with GPS devices as well.

Don’t get caught on the water without the proper boating equipment. Bring along everything you need for safety. Check the state regulations to make sure you have the proper boating equipment.

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Many expert boaters know all too well that that neophytes hardly understand what boat ownership truly means or entails. It would seem that some people buy boats because the idea appears glamorous and exciting. These same folks seldom think in terms of upkeep, care or the frequent use of proper boating accessories.

As with cars, boats need certain essentials to run and keep running smoothly on a consistent basis. This means purchasing the appropriate accessories. And yes, while it is good to keep the boat clean, the needed accessories will extend far beyond the external appearance of the vessel.

For instance, you may need stern drives, outboard motors, inboards or other parts. Experienced boaters realize this and often try to keep such items on hand. Most of them may have learned to do this through hard won experience. As many boaters know, it takes only one time getting caught without necessary equipment when one needs it to make you a firm believer in keeping the right boating accessories nearby.

Just what kind of boating accessories should one have onboard? There are two types of accessories categories which will tell you what you need. Knowing which ones are essential to boat life and occupant safety is extremely important.

The first category of accessories are the essentials of safety like ladders, mirrors, anchors, ropes, life jackets, buoys, lights, flares and the like. Actual accessories for the vessel itself can include outboard and inboard motors as well as stern drives.

One may even opt to have another smaller inflatable boat or raft onboard as well. This can be considered an essential, or not, depending on what the purchase is for. Some people enjoy taking a larger boat out and paddling around in an inflatable once they reach the middle of a river or lake. Others may have one alongside a life raft as an extra precaution.

Then there are accessories that are not needful but nice to have like swim platforms, wakeboard towers, deck chairs, fish finders, radios and the like.

The kind of boat one has can greatly influence the type of accessories one gets as well. A fishing boat owner will not purchase the same items that a man who owns the large leisure variety.

But no matter the category boating accessories and essentials fall in, the fact remains that investing in them will help increase the value of your boat. As in home buying market, people interested in boats tend to look to see how well the boat was kept up and what amenities it has.

First and foremost one should look at purchasing accessories for the safety of all onboard, including yourself. This consideration far outweighs items that make the boat look flashy or cool. Once safety is established, a boat owner can then concentrate on fixing his darling up. Indeed, the sky is the limit in regards to accessories and their numerous uses.

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